Chapter 8: Tampered Test
Chapter 8: Tampered Test
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Xavier
Raven‘ s last look lingered in my mind. I’d immediately cast her out to protect the pack, but it didn’t feel right. Since the council meeting, whispers of discontent had spread among the warriors and elders.
“Alpha?” Samuel, one of my most trusted warriors, appeared in the doorway.
“What is it?” I snapped.
“There’s something you should see, Alpha. Elara and Celeste are in the healer’s quarters… arguing.
My eyebrows furrowed. I rose immediately. Celeste was pregnant, and I had to ensure the safety of the baby. She had a reputation. for ignoring any healer‘ s advice. She was probably arguing with them right now for something petty. But when it comes to my child, Celeste must obey them no matter what. She needed to be as healthy as
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possible to carry and deliver the baby without complications.
Samuel followed me as I made my way to the hall, to the healer’s quarters. And as I approached the door, I could hear voices. We looked at each other but didn’t say a
word.
“You promised me, Elara!” Celeste hissed.
“You swore you would handle everything.”
I stopped at the doorway. I held a hand to Samuel, gesturing for him to stay silent as I listened.
“Elara, listen to me,” Celeste continued with desperation.
“You owe my family. My father helped you when no one else would. Do you really want to go against me now?”
“But this… this isn‘ t right, Celeste. I tampered with the test as you asked, but Raven‘ s accusations created suspicion. I
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Chapter 8: Tampered Test
can’t keep lying.”
My stomach twisted, but I remained silent to hear everything.
“Raven‘ s gone now. She’s the only one who would dare to question us. As long as you stay quiet, this will blow over. No one questions the pack’s most trusted healer. We just need to look for a baby to adopt later, and everything will be fine.”
A heavy silence followed, then Elara‘ s defeated whisper, “I still think… this will end badly.”
“Then do as I say,” Celeste snapped.
“You’ve already taken this risk. Backing
out now will ruin you.”
I snapped, and I stepped inside
unannounced. Both women froze, and
their eyes widened in surprise.
“What’s this about a tampered test?” I
demanded.
Elara‘ s face turned pale, her gaze
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dropped, and her body trembled.
“Alpha Xavier… I–I didn’t know you
were…
“Answer me!” I roared.
Elara swallowed hard.
“Celeste asked me to alter her test results, Alpha. She… she said it was important for the pack‘ s stability. Her family helped me once, a long time ago, and… and she made it clear that I owed her. Because of that… it
was hard for me to say no to her.”
“You both lied to me and the entire pack.”
Celeste’s expression shifted from surprise to a stubborn defiance.
“And what does it matter, Alpha Xavier? I gave you what you wanted–a future, stability, an heir. Raven was standing in the way of that. I did this for you, for all of us.”
“That’s not your choice to make,” I
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growled.
“Raven was right, and I refused to believe. her because I thought having an heir was more important.”
“But I did this for you. For the pack! Can’t you see? You needed someone who could
give you what Raven couldn’t. You were willing to let her go for that, and you know it.”
I felt anger surging through me.
“You don’t get to twist this around, Celeste. Because of your lie, you jeopardized everything I’ve worked for, everything the pack stands for.”
I turned to Elara, who was still cowering
near the wall.
“I’m… I’m so sorry, Alpha. I only did
what she asked. She threatened me.”
“You betrayed your role, Elara. There‘ s no excuse for that.”
All Elara could do was nod and remain
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silent.
“Elara, you can stay with the pack. But you will go to the elders tomorrow for a trial. Your reputation will be reviewed, and your duties will be reassigned. And whatever punishment they would give you, you will not question it.”
“Thank you, Alpha Xavier… I’m so sorry,” Elara replied with her head down.
I turned to glare at Celeste. I was so furious that I could punch her in the face, but I managed to control myself. An Alpha shouldn’t hit a woman regardless of what
she did.
“As for you Celeste, you‘ re no longer welcome here. I expect you to leave by nightfall. Do not ask for any protection from me or the pack. And don’t ever come. back.”
Celeste‘ s face paled with worry.
“Alpha Xavier… please, you can’t mean that. Everything I did, I did for you, for the
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Chapter 8: Tampered Test
pack!”
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“You didn’t do this for anyone but yourself. This was about your ambition, your hunger for power, and it ends now.
“Make sure Celeste packs her things and leaves by sundown,” I ordered Samuel.
I turned and left. Celeste‘ s desperatel pleas trailed behind me, but I ignored it. I could no longer stomach her presence. I wanted her gone.
I sank into my chair at my office, and my head felt like exploding. I’d been so blind, so desperate for an heir, that I’d let myself get swayed by the promise of one. And now Raven, my mate and the woman I love was gone.
The door opened, and Samuel stepped in, looking hesitant.
“Alpha? Is there anything else you need me to do?”
“Do you have any idea where Raven could
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be?” I asked, hoping he might have seen. her on the day she left.
“Hmm…no one saw her that night she left. Even Cassandra didn’t know where she had gone. She doesn’t have any relatives or friends outside the pack. She was on her
own.”
I sighed, but I would not lose hope that I would see Raven again.
“Gather a search team with the most efficient warriors. We‘ re leaving at first.
light,” I ordered softly.
Samuel’s eyebrows arched, and asked, “Where are we headed, Alpha?”
“To find Raven and bring her home.”
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